Bringing the world home

Natalie MacMaster returns home to Cape Breton with some musician friends to open the 10th Celtic Colours International Festival.

IN ITS 10 years of existence, the Celtic Colours International Festival
has become one of the most impressive traditional music events in North
America, bringing talent from around the world to this remote corner of
the continent.

And every year, visitors from all over come to hear the brilliant
musicians, enjoy the breathtaking autumn scenery and feel the warmth of
Cape Breton hospitality.

And it’s impossible to imagine any of it happening without the
groundwork laid by Cape Breton musicians and international ambassadors
like the Barra MacNeils, the Rankin Family, Ashley MacIsaac or Natalie
MacMaster, who kicks off this 10th anniversary on Friday night at the
Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.

A native of Troy on Cape Breton’s western Ceilidh Trail, MacMaster
returns to the festival from her current home in Ontario with husband
Donnell Leahy to perform shows and catch up with musical friends.
Usually she appears on the Celtic Colours roster every couple of years,
and she knew there was something special about the event from the very
first time she stepped out onto the stage of one of its many concerts.

“My favourite moment at Celtic Colours was the concert I did with
Sharon Shannon,” says MacMaster, citing the famed Irish accordionist.
“It was in Port Hawkesbury, the first year of the festival, and it was
a Gaelic Women show. I just really enjoyed playing with Sharon Shannon,
she’s amazing.

“Celtic Colours is great, it’s a celebration of music, and our culture,
and the best part about it is how it takes place all over the island.
People from away, and even locals, get to go around the island, and
they’re not just stuck in one place all the time. And of course there’s
always good music, and interesting ways of pairing up musicians to keep
it sounding fresh.”

For her hand-picked roster of guests on Friday night in Port
Hawkesbury, MacMaster has included U.S. banjo innovator Bela Fleck, who
appeared on her 2003 CD Blueprint, in his Nova Scotia debut; Galician
bagpipe virtuoso Carlos Nunez, whose jaw-dropping performances have
been a Celtic Colours favourite for the past few years, and
chart-topping Australian soprano Hayley Westenra.

“We’ve got some surprises too, I’ve got some surprises up my sleeve,”
says MacMaster excitedly about the show, which will also be recorded
for broadcast by PBS. “They’re going to be . . . you know what? This is
such a corny term, but it’s so true, there will be some magical
moments. And I mean it, it’s true!”

The surprise up MacMaster’s other sleeve is her new CD Yours Truly,
which landed in record stores yesterday. Recorded largely with her
touring band, it features vibrant, road-tuned performances with Brad
Davidge’s guitar bursting forth on Volcanic Jig and the sound of Matt
MacIsaac’s pipes dancing with MacMaster’s nimble fiddle on Matt and
Nat’s.

Over the past few albums, MacMaster has managed to give each record its
own singular taste, from completely traditional to contemporary Celtic
blends. On Yours Truly, it’s a more balanced sound thanks to the use of
the musicians she knows best.

“I don’t always think they’re going to be as unique as they turn out to
be,” says MacMaster. “I did the Buddy and Natalie record, and that was
totally trad, so this year I had a lot of tunes that I was writing that
weren’t so traditional, and believe it or not I actually liked them.
That’s rare for me, I usually toss them.”

There are special guests on the record, including sister-in-law Erin
Leahy and aunt Betty Lou Beaton on piano, First Nations entertainer Tom
Jackson on vocals and former Doobie Brother Michael MacDonald on a
stirring rendition of Danny Boy, that came about after the two
performed on a Boston Pops TV special.

But the best guest clip of all is a cute vocal contributed by
10-month-old daughter Mary Francis on the final track, an instrumental
piece that closes out the album.

“It’s not really a tune, it’s more of a mood piece, and Donal said I
should make it a little thing at the end where I say thanks to everyone
who helped out with the record.

“It was really hard at that point to get anything out of her, she was
so young — just over a week old. So it was hard to get her. There’s a
bit of crying, you don’t want the wail where she’s going ‘WAAAAAH!’ you
just want a cute little cry, so it was fun picking the clips.”

I am so grateful to all for all the work that has been done to provide such a festival each and every year. The work and the pride is certainly evident in all aspects.

H Phillips

I’m sure you hear this all the time, but I’ll add to the chorus. The festival was one of the best “vacations” I’ve ever had. Your team of organizers, event planners, staffers, - everyone involved – should be extremely proud of yourselves. Thanks so very much.

Paul A, Seattle, Washington

What an outstanding thing you’ve got going on! I just wanted to express my gratitude to you all for treatimg me so well, and teaching me so much. Unforgettable. What a beautiful, beautiful island you have.

Peter McCracken, Port Townsend, WA

We had such an amazing time at Celtic Colours that we decided to stay on Cape Breton Island for another 6 weeks, and are now considering making it a regular visit each year. We only caught the last 3 days of the festival, but are extremely grateful for (staff person’s) knowledge and courtesy. We wanted to thank her for sharing her time with us, because without it, we may never have known about Celtic Colours, and thus, missed out on an amazing experience. Celtic Colours is one of the most amazing and unique music festivals we have ever attended, and we will without a doubt be returning again and again.

William A

Just watched the amazing final concert from Sydney. Last year I was over for Celtic Colours but the traveling is too much having to go Edinburgh/London/Halifax. Thank you so much for coming up with the idea of doing the live stream concerts. Well worth staying up for. Cape Breton fiddlers are awesome. You have made this girl very happy over the last 10 days.

Isobel G, October 19, near Edinburgh

To be able to view this concert and more is just heaven, thank you so much for live streaming this. My brother in Medicine Hat just sent me a note to say how much he is enjoying it and he is from Cape Breton

Brian M

I just have to say that the SOUND on the web is wonderfully loud and the EQ is perfect. That is not easy to do and I've never heard it done as well. Congrats to the audio techs on this show. You guys ROCK!!!

Tim in Dallas

Celtic Colours is my favorite time of the year and we have been there with friends for 5 years in a row but couldn't make it this year because of a knee operation. My Cape Breton Home.

Hugh

I am just filled up with fantastic memories and inspiration from Celtic Colours. It was wonderful to be back and you are all just doing an amazing job!! All the cooperation with all the other musicians was so giving.

Artist Helene Blum, Denmark

The whole experience of Artist in Residence was overwhelmingly full of incredible experiences – musically and beyond – and I will be drawing upon what I have learned for years to come. I can link nearly all of what I consider to be career highlights back to Celtic Colours. I am so excited for the new paths that this year’s experiences are leading to.

2013 Artist in Residence Kimberley Fraser

Economically it is a marvellous success, not only to the specific venue, but to other businesses and community groups in the area. Socially, the residents get together to plan, help and participate.

Barbara Downie, Judique Community Centre

The tourism sector is very pleased with the extra traffic/more sales because of Celtc Colours. The number of activities surrounding the two concerts held in Cheticamp seems to be very much appreciated. Merci beaucoup!

Lisette Aucoin-Bourgeois, La Societe Saint-Pierre, Cheticamp

This brings money into our community and our school. Honestly, this is a terrific fundraiser for us. We profit about $2,000 with everything we do.

Marie Barry, North Highland Elementary School

“We are delighted to find returning musicians who are veteran Celtic Colours visitors coming to participate in our jams and take workshops. It seems that we have a high proportion of international visitors taking our music workshops, and staying in our community for several days"